Wood and metal furniture construction



Oct. 31, 1933. B. E. RICHARDSON WOOD AND METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTIONOriginal Filed March 1'7, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l I 6 9 noenfor Ym m'dBiiidwrdsou Oct. 31, 1933.

B. E. RICHARDSON WOOD AND METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Original FiledMarch 17. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 31, 1933.

B. E. RICHARDSON WOOD AND METAL FURNITpRE CONSTRUCTION Original FiledMarch 17, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 llyml i.

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0mm nee Oct. 31, 1933. B. E. RICHARDSON 1,933,074

WOOD AND METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed March 1'7, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Y0 I 6% Pmorne Patented Oct. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES WOODAND METAL FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Bayard E. Richardson, Grand Rapids,Mich.

Application March 17, 1930, Serial No. 436,376

Renewed March 16, 1933 I 9 Claims. (Cl. 45-6) This invention relates toa furniture construction wherein there is used wood and metal, and thearticleof furniture made presents, as to outward appearance and design,substantially an appearance of being made entirely of wood, while theconstruction is strengthened and reinforced and at the same timeproduced economically through the use of metal members the greater partof which are either completely enclosed and covered or are notnoticeable in the finished construction. This construction of furniturewhich I have devised is applicable in the manufacture of many articlesof furniture and I have illustrated and described the application of theinvention 5 for production of cabinets and of desks, though in practicea great many other articles of furni ture such as bureaus, chiifoniers,dressers and the like may be made utilizing my invention.

It is a primary object and purpose of the present invention to provide apractical, simple and durable construction of furniture wherein throughnovel combinations and arrangements of parts many useful and desirableresults are attained; as economy of construction because of an abilityto produce the articles in large quantity manufacture with quick andeasy assembly, while the articles of furniture produced may be producedin many and various designs with the use of different exterior designson the corner posts, panels and the like which are presented outwardlyto the view of the beholder. Many objects and purposes other than thosestated will be fully apparent upon an understanding of the invention hadfrom the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a cabinet adapted for radio installationwhich is made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontalsection therethrough.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary vertical sections taken, respectively, onthe planes of lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 2, the parts in Fig. 3 beingshown in somewhat disassembled relation.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a desk made in accordance with myinvention.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through one of the desk pedestals and afragmentary portion of the construction betwen the pedestals.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the plane of line 77 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through one of thedesk pedestals and adjacent parts of the desk well.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of one corner of theconstruction with the top removed.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section substantially on the samescale as Fig. 9 showing the inner rear corner construction and adjacentparts of a desk pedestal in a desk, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical elevation, partly in section, of theconstruction.shown in Fig. 9 illustrating a detail thereof.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figuresof the drawings.

In the construction of, the furniture unit, which a may be used eitherfor a cabinet, bureau, chiffonier or the like, or in which two of theunits may be used each for a pedestal in a desk, 2. flat bottom 1 ofsheet metal is provided which is reinforced by having downtumed flanges2 at its edges. This bottom or base 1 adjacent its corners is providedwith relatively large openings 3 and it is completely surrounded by anattached ornamental molding indicated at 4 which not only serves inadding to and embellishing the appearance of the construction but alsostrengthens the base or bottom and, as will hereafter appear, supportsand holds the lower ends of the corner posts, one of which is used ateach corner of the base.

This base is supported at any desired distance above the floor by legs5, one at each corner thereof. These legs have a central longitudinalopening therethrough for the passage of an elongated rod 6 screwthreaded at its upper end and provided with a head at its lower end. Anornamental and protective ferrule or cup 7 of metal is used to cover thelower end of each leg 5, the head on the rod 6 passing through thebottom of the cup and being covered by a foot member 8 of sheet metalwhich is attached in any suitable manner to the bottom of each of thecups 7. The upper projecting end 9 of each leg 5 is of such a form as tofit the opening 3 in the bottom or base 1, passing therethrough andextending a short distance above the base or substantially to the planeof the upper side of the molding 4.

The base with the molding 4 around it is of substantially rectangularform but with rounded corners. Adjacent each corner of the base avertical post 10 is disposed, it being of convex or rounded form at itsouter side and may be shaped to any desired ornamental design shown inFig.

1; while at the inner side the post is of longitudinal concave recessedform whereby when the lower end of a post 10 is located at a corner ofthe base 1 within the molding 4, the cylindrical upper end portion 9 ofa leg 5 at such corner fits snugly no into the longitudinal concavedrecess at the inner side of the post, and thereby snugly holds the lowerend of the post against the molding 4.

Each post is provided with a sheet metal guide and reinforcingstructure, best shown in Figs. 9 and 10. A plate of sheet metal is bentvertically substantially midway between its edges to provide twosections 11 located at right angles to each other. From the outer edgesof these sections 11 the metal is continued in a U-shaped vertical guide12, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and from the said guides the metalextends outwardly providing sections 13 in the same vertical plane withthe sections 11 which, at their terminal edges, are formed into beads 14or 14a. These sheet metal members engage against their respective postsby having the sections 13 bear against the opposite side edges of thepost while the beads 14 extend in one direction partly over the outercurved side of the post. Between the sheet metal members described, andin association with the front and rear posts at each side of a cabinetstructure, horizontal angle bars 15 and 16 (see Figs. 3 and 4) arelocated and permanently secured to the vertical metal members described,the bars 16 being disposed at the upper ends of said sheet metal postmembers while the bars 15 are reversed as to position and located at thelower ends and intermediate the ends of said sheet metal vertical postmembers.

The furniture unit is ordinarily made with one side open and with theother side and its ends closed by panels. In a radio cabinet, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the front side is closed by a front panel 17 and theends are closed by end panels 18 which, after the posts 10 have beenlocated with their lower ends between the corners of the molding 4 andthe upper ends 9 of the sup-- porting legs, and the sheet metal guidemembers have been slid downwardly into place in association with theposts, then the panels are slid downwardly with their edges receivedbetween the outer sides of the vertical guides 12 and the beads 14. Thelower edge portions of the panels 17 and 18 are held between the molding4 and metal tongues 19 struck upwardly from the base plate 1.

When a unit has been thus far assembled it is ready to receive the top.The top 20 in a radio cabinet, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, is of asize and outline substantially like the base 1 and adjacent its cornersat its underside is provided with screw threaded sockets 21 into whichthe upper ends of the rods 6 thread; and the downwardly extendingportions of the sockets 21 are of a shape and size, like the parts 9 onthe legs 5, to flt snugly in the concave recessed portions at the upperends of the posts 10. Prior to placing the top in position so that therods 6 may be screwed at their upper ends into sockets 21 the upper edgeportions of the panels 17 and 18 are equipped with channel shapedretaining members 23 01 sheet metal which are laid over and against theupper edge portions of said panels 1'7 and 18. Each of these channelretainers 22 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 23 which, at

each end, has a downtumed lip 24 to-h'ook over and engages with anadjacent U-shaped guide 12 at its upper end, as shown in Fig. 9, therebytying the parts-together and preventing their separation; then after thetop 20 has been located in place and the rods 6 threaded into thesockets 21 the structure is complete.

A single unit of the construction described my be readily used for aradio cabinet or in a larger size for a bureau or chiifonier, dresser orthe like. In a radio cabinet the front is closed and the back is openand as many shelves or drawers as desired may be used as is convenient,using angle bars 15 as supports and guides therefor. With a bureau orchiffonier the front would be open and the drawers inserted into thecabinet structure thus produced, the drawers being guided on likesupporting drawer guide bars 15.

In the building of a desk two of the unit constructions described areused, spaced apart from each other, each of said unit constructionscomprising a pedestal of a desk. Instead of the opening being at theback as in the radio cabinet shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the openings in thedesk units are at the front whereby drawers, such as indicated at 25,may be slidably placed in or withdrawn from the two desk pedestal units,the drawers having mountings on the bars 15; and the top 20 is of a sizeto extend over both units and the desk well so-called between thepedestal units.

At the back of a desk there is, in many cases, a vertical panelextending between the desk pedestals. This panel is indicated at 26 inFigs. 5 to 8 inclusive, also in Fig. 10. Its vertical edges are slidablyreceived between a bead, such as 14a in Fig. 10 and a guide spacedtherefrom which is provided by a vertically located Z bar of metalhaving a web 2'7 and oppositely extending flanges 28 one of which liesbetween the rear edge of the side panel 18 and the adjacent section 13of the sheet metal guide and reinforcing member associated with theadjacent rear inner corner of the desk pedestal post 10 (see Fig. 10)while the other flange 28 is properly spaced from the bead 14a. Theupper edge of the back panel 26 is received in a channel 29 (see Fig. 7)from which a flange 30 extends inwardly, the ends of which are turneddown, as indicated at 31, and are secured by screws to the adjacentinner sides 18 of the desk pedestals. This channel 29 with the flange 30and tongue or lips 31 is in construction similar to the channel 22,flange 23 and downtumed lips or tongues 24 which are shown in Figs. 9and 11.

The lower edge of the panel 26 rests upon an inverted channel bar 32having downtumed flanges to each of which metal molding 33 ispermanently secured by welding, extending above the upper side of thechannel 32 and being spaced apart so that the lower edges of the panel26 may be entered between the upper parts of the moldings 33. A rod 34extends lengthwise of and between the flanges of the channel 32 (seeFig. 7) and at its ends passes through the moldings 4 and the downtumededge flanges 2 on the bases 1 of the pedestals (see Fig. 8) therebysecuring the parts together and holding them against disarrangement. Theends of the channel 32 and of the moldings 33 are properly shaped so asto fit against the sides of the moldings 4 as best shown in Fig. 10.

A frame is located a short distance below the top 20 and between theinner sides 18 of the desk pedestal units. This frame is of rectangularform, preferably of metal, having a back bar 35 and side or end bars 36of angle iron while the front bar 3'? is also of angle iron but with itsframe the usual drawer 38 in a desk located between the two pedestals isslidably mounted.

It is evident from the foregoing that a very practical and serviceableunit structure which may be used in the manufacture of many articles offurniture is produced. The assembly of the parts is very simple andeasy. The outward appearance of the desk, cabinet or other articles offurniture is that presented by the wood which is used, as, except forthe molding 4 and the beads 14 and 14a, no metal shows. Where thevertical guide and reinforcing members including the guides 12, sections11 and 13 and beads 14 are used at the closed side of a unit structurethere is a channel shaped guide 12 in each leg of the sheet metal memberbut at the open side, as in Fig. 6 or in Fig. 2, the U'-shaped guide 12is not used on one leg thereof. There are many variations in detail ofconstruction which may be resorted to without departing from theinvention which is defined in the appended claims; and all variations ofconstruction within the scope of said claims are to be considered ascomprehended by my invention.

I claim:

1. In a construction of the class described, a base of substantiallyrectangular outline having openings therethrough adjacent its corners,supporting members having upwardly extending end portions passingthrough said openings, vertical posts, one adjacent each corner of thebase fitting at their lower ends and inner sides against said upwardlyprojecting ends of the supporting members, means surrounding the.

base engaging against the posts at their lower ends and outer sides,sides and a back or front located vertically between certain of theposts, a top, sockets having downwardly extending portions attached tothe underside of the top and fitting against the inner sides of saidposts at their upper ends, and rods extending upwardly through saidsupporting members to said sockets on the top and connecting therewith.

2. A construction of the class described comprising, a base of fiatsheet metal of substantially rectangular outline having openingstherethrough adjacent its corners, a molding surrounding the base andextending above the same, supporting members located one below eachcorner of the base having upwardly extending portions passing throughthe openings in the base,

vertical posts having outer surfaces substantially in the arc of acylinder and inner surfaces of concave recessed form extending upwardly,one

- from each corner of the base, and having their lower ends receivedbetween the corner portions of said molding and the upwardly extendingportions of said supporting members and contacting therewith, a top,rods extending upwardly through said supporting members and alongside ofsaid posts to said top and means connected to the top with which saidrods connect at their upper ends, said means projecting downwardly fromthe top and fitting within the concave recessed inner sides of the postsat their upper ends.

3. A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 2, combined with vertical members of sheet metal one for eachpost, each having two sections located 'at right angles to each otherand disposed at the inner sides of the post around and covering saidrods,

and vertical guides integrally formed on said' members for receiving andholding said sides and back or front at their vertical edges.

4. In a construction of the class described, a base of substantiallyrectangular outline having rounded. corners made of sheet metal,supporting members located one under each comer of the base. verticalposts one at each corner of the base extending upwardly therefrom, eachof saidposts at its outer side being curved substantially inthe arc of acylinder and having edges located in' planes at right angles to eachother, vertical metal members one on each post each compris-' ing'twosections located at right angles to each other, said sections lyingagainst the edges of the posts and at their outer edges formed withbeads to extend over the adjacent curved outer surfaces of' the posts,the sections of said members being formed/with integral vertical guidesextending at right angles from said sections, vertical sides and a backor front slidably received between said guides and beads on the sectionsof said members, a top, rods extending upwardly through the supportingmembers to said top and means on the underside of the top connectingwith the upper ends of the rods.

5. A construction containing the elements in combination defined inclaim 4, combined with the means on the supporting members for locatingthe supporting members at fixed positions relative to the corners of thebase, and means on the base combined with said locating means on thesupporting members for engaging with and holding the lower ends of theposts in proper relation to the corners of the base.

6. A construction of the class described comprising a base, Supportingmembers underneath the corners of the base, vertical posts on and abovethe corners of the base, a top, sides, and a back or front locatedbetween said posts, guide members associated with the posts for engagingthe edges of said sides and back or front, a molding around the baseengaging the posts and said sides or back at their lower edges and outersides, means projecting above said base to engage said sides and back orfront at their lower edges and at their inner sides, rods extendingthrough the supporting members and base and lengthwise of the posts tosaid top, means secured to the top to detachably connect with the upperends of the rods, and horizontal metallic channel members fitting overthe upper edge portions of said sides and back or front and beingconnected at their ends with said guide members.

7. A construction of the class described com prising, a base ofsubstantially rectangular outline, supporting members one under eachcorner 1 of the base, a molding around the b se extending above theupper side thereof, vertical posts one at each corner of the base, metalguide members connected with each post and lying within and verticallyalongside thereof, sides and a back or front located betweenthe posts,guide means on said vertical guide members engaging with the verticaledges of said sides and back or front, means engaging the inner sides ofthe posts and said sides and back. orfront at their lower ends forholding the same against the molding, channel shaped horizontal memberslocated one over the upper edge of each side and the back or front,means for connecting said channel shaped members at their ends to saidvertical guide members, a top, rods extending upwardly through thesupporting members and base and between said posts and guide members andextending to the top, and means secured to the lower side of the topwith which said rods at their upper ends have detachable connection. a

8. In a construction of the class described, a base having openingstherethrough adjacent its comers; supporting members having upwardlyopenings, posts, one adjacent each corner of the base fitting attheir'lower ends and inner sides against said upwardly projecting endsof the supporting members, means surrounding the base engaging againstthe posts at their lower ends and outer sides, sides and a back or frontlocated vertically between certain of the posts, a top, and rodsextending upwardly through said supporting members to sa top andconnecting therewith. 9. A construction of the class describedcomprising, a base, supporting members underneath the corners of thebase, vertical posts on and above the corners of the base, a top, sidesand a BAYARD E. RICHARDSON.

